Caution

The Florida Department of Health urges individuals to be aware of the risks associated with getting a "temporary black henna tattoo" The department has received reports of allergic reactions and injuries, including permanent scaring of the skin from temporary black henna tattoos that are popular with those who want to enjoy a "temporary" tattoo.

Natural Henna

Natural henna tattoos have been applied to human skin for hundreds of years.  The application is usually for ceremonial purposes, such as a wedding, and natural henna tattoos are not known to produce any unfavorable health problems.  The product used to apply natural henna tattoos is a dye paste made from dried and ground leaves of a henna plant mixed with water and a natural dye fixative.  Natural henna tattoos are temporary and they are not applied with a needle, as are permanent tattoos. Many natural henna artists prefer to use a free hand design.  However, some henna tattoos are achieved by tracing over a design stencil that has been applied to the skin.  The tracing may be done using a dispensing applicator bottle or a brush.  The end tattoo design is either brown or reddish brown in color.  A little known fact is that the only approved use for henna by the Food and Drug Administration is in hair dye, not in products intended for direct application to the skin.

Black Henna

In recent years, "black henna tattoos" have become popular, particular in beach resort communities.  Black henna tattoos, unlike natural brown or reddish brown tattoos, are not always safe and are known to have produced from minor to serious adverse health effects in children and adults.  The black henna tattoos are applied using the stencil method.  The unsafe black henna paste produces a black design because para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a toxic chemical which has been approved by the FDA in small amounts for black hair dye, has been added to the paste.  The addition of PPD dyes the skin quicker and makes the tattoo look more like a permanent tattoo.

How to report an Incident

Under Chapter 499, Florida Statues and Chapter 64F-12, Florida Administrative Code, the Florida Department of Health will investigate any reports of the application of temporary black henna tattoos.  To report an incident and to initiate a department investigation, please complete this form.

Contacts

Under Florida law, information submitted to the department may be deemed public record. If you do not want your information released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone in writing. General questions concerning "temporary black henna tattoos" should be directed via e-mail to at the Bureau of Community Environmental Health, HSEC, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, BIN A 08, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-1710. Ms. Coulter, Ms. Vallone-Hood, or Dr. Golding can be reached by telephone at (850) 245-4277.

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